We would describe ourselves as very loyal Chateau Canmore customers. We have stayed here with our two children annually for years, usually for a night or two right before Easter weekend. I don't believe we have ever paid more than $90 per night, and this year we were given a rate of $59.50. They have loft suites available, but we've always been perfectly comfortable in the regular rooms (aka "Deluxe Suites").

First, let's deal with the downsides:

Yes, there is a train track next to the hotel (this is true of many hotels in Canmore), but the noise has never particularly bothered us. If you're worried about the noise, request a suite on the east side (facing away from the tracks).

Yes, the accommodations are nothing fancy. If you demand down-filled duvets and chocolates on the pillows, look elsewhere. That said, the Chateau Canmore is unfailingly clean and comfortable.

Now, for the plusses:

The suites, though rather small, are efficiently laid out. Every suite has a separate living room (with hide-a-bed sofa) in addition to two double beds in the bedroom. There are two televisions and one VCR (movies available in the lobby). There is a gas fireplace in the bedroom.

You get a small kitchenette -- mini fridge, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, bar sink -- making it easy for those on a budget to save a few more bucks.

There's a pool, including an outdoor hot tub, and a decent little fitness room.

We have always received exceptional service. We have occasionally made special requests -- early check-in, slightly delayed check-out, change of rooms -- and the staff has always been eager to accommodate. The people are friendly and obliging.

To summarize, the Chateau Canmore gives us a clean comfortable suite complete with a separate living room/kitchenette, a pool/hot tub/fitness room, and impeccable service -- all for less than we'd pay for most motels. This is one of our all-time favourite homes-away-from-home. Enthusiastically recommended!

I stayed here for several weeks while waiting for my house to be finished, and must say this hotel is top-notch!

The rooms are spacious (I love the separate sitting area) and the beds and pillows are some of the most comfortable I have ever had in a hotel. The fireplace was nice on cold nights and the views were magnificent.

Upon arrival, I cringed at the thought of how noisy the trains would be in the night, but was pleasantly surprised by the lack of disturbance. In fact, they added a nice touch to my stay.

The food in the restaurant was great, and the prices were very reasonable for the portion sizes.

The hotel staff was knowledgeable about area attractions and Ryan on the front desk went above and beyond to ensure I always had what I needed for my extended stay.

I was impressed that all parking stalls had plugins for cold nights and the outdoor hot tub was incredible.

When we got here, there was no parking left. We were told to park across the street (a main road)(we had a 4 month old baby with us too). After telling them about the vehicles taking up two spots, it was just shrugged off. The rooms are roomy, but very hot, and dry. Our T.V. had no remote.The beds are very uncomfortable. We had a queen size bed that folds up into the wall. The pillows were as hard as a rock. They never came to clean our room until about 4 in the afternoon. By then we felt it was too late. The restaurant olny serves families/minors until 5 oclock, and they do not tell you this when you arrive, not something you would expect from a family hotel.

I wrote a Jun 2005 review, after a 4 night stay. I've stayed again - so thought I'd post more info.
Ended up on the traintrack side again. Yes, noisy. I was on the 3rd, rather than top (4th floor). Without a cathedral ceiling, the room does seem smaller. No fireplace, like the previous suite. As another poster pointed out, the bathroom is "compact". Decor is only adequate; it's dated. Also, a chair had an obvious stain and a lightbulb burnt out. There's no portable lights.
At least this non-smoking room didn't smell (last time, they tried to give me a smokey non-smoking room). There was a king bed closest to the tracks, a door, then the bathroom, an large open closet, then kitchen/sofabed room. TVs in both the bedroom and sofabed room.
Again, used the in-room microwave, fridge, and toaster - as well as the coffeemaker. Used the pull-out bed; although I discovered it only had a bottom sheet and blanket. Staff still inexperienced, but a request for a pillow was met within 5 minutes.
New issue: no hot water. When I asked at the front desk, they said it can take 7-10 minutes to warm up because of old plumbing.
In comparison to other hotels I priced, this one still seems good value for the money.